Snowmobile Lower Arm Positioning for Deep Snow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snowmobiles experience increased running resistance and elevated center of gravity due to the low positioning of the lower arm, which is connected to the vehicle frame at a height similar to the engine, leading to inefficiencies in traversing deep snow.
Innovation Solution
The snowmobile design elevates the position of the lower arm relative to the engine, with its proximal portion located higher than the engine's lower end and potentially at or above the crankshaft's rotational center, while maintaining a ski support frame structure that reduces snow impact and maintains a low center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower arm is positioned at a low height (similar to engine lower end), then the center of gravity remains low, but running resistance increases due to snow accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the lower arm connection point from a low horizontal position to a higher vertical position, changing the spatial dimension of the connection. This vertical displacement raises the lower arm above snow accumulation zones while the ski support frame and other structural elements maintain the overall low center of gravity, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing snow resistance and maintaining stability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower arm is raised to reduce snow impact, then running resistance decreases, but the center of gravity of the vehicle body is raised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle structure into distinct functional components: the lower arm connection is elevated to avoid snow, while the ski support frame, engine mounting, and other weight-bearing elements remain positioned low. This segmentation allows the lower arm to be raised for reduced snow impact while the overall vehicle center of gravity remains low due to the positioned mass elements, resolving the contradiction between snow clearance and center of gravity control
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a snowmobile are disclosed. The lower arm is arranged below the upper arm. The lower arm includes proximal portions and connected to the ski support frame. The lower arm extends outwardly from the proximal portions and in the vehicle width direction and connects the ski support frame and the ski. The proximal portions and of the lower arm are positioned higher than the lower end of the engine. At least a portion of the lower arm is positioned higher than the rotational center of the crank shaft. This structure can prevent the center of gravity of the vehicle body from becoming high and reduce running resistance when the vehicle traveling in deep snow.